LeBron Leaves Door Open To A Cavaliers Return

LeBron James spoke to The Athletic's Jason Lloyd after practicing with his All-Star teammates Saturday in Cleveland. And among the subjects he broached included the possibility of returning to his hometown team for a third time. 

“The door’s not closed on that,” James said, while being careful to add “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing, I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t even know when I’m free.”

The King should know when he's free, as in "free agent", when his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers wraps up after next season. 

The Lakers, of course, are facing an uncertain future, with the oldest team in the league, struggling at the bottom of the playoff picture in the West, and with very little flexibility to change much for next season. 

LeBron has been heaping a lot of praise on the young Cavs, envying them from afar, for now. 

And while returning to Ohio might be a possibility, the one thing the 37-year-old James wants to do more than anything, is hang around in the NBA long enough to play on the same team as his son Bronny — class of 2024. 

“My last year will be played with my son,” James said. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”

As Lloyd points out, "James’ message to all 30 teams Saturday was clear: If you want me, draft Bronny."

Photo Credits: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports, David Richard-USA TODAY Sports